2016 United States House of Representatives elections in Virginia

For related races, see 2016 United States House of Representatives elections.

2016 United States House of Representatives elections in Virginia

←  2014 November 8, 2016 2018  →
All 11 Virginia seats to the United States House of Representatives
Majority party Minority party   Party Republican Democratic Last election 8 3 Seats won 7 4 Seat change 1 1 Popular vote 1,843,010 1,859,426 Percentage 48.74% 49.17% Swing 4.82% 9.55%
Results by party gains Election results by district      Democratic hold     Democratic gain      Republican hold Republican   50–60%   60–70% Democratic   50–60%   60–70%   80–90%

The 2016 United States House of Representatives elections in Virginia were held on November 8, 2016, to elect a U.S. representative from each of Virginia's 11 congressional districts. The elections coincided with the 2016 U.S. presidential election, as well as House of Representatives elections in other states, U.S. Senate elections and various state and local elections. The primaries were held on June 14.

Virginia was one of two states in which the party that won the state's popular vote did not win a majority of seats in 2016, the other state being Wisconsin.

Statewide results

Party		Candidates	Votes		Seats
			No.	%	No.	+/–	%
	Democratic Party	11	1,859,426	49.17%	4	1	36.36%
	Republican Party	10	1,843,010	48.74%	7	1	63.64%
	Write-in	11	42,552	1.13%	0		0.0%
	Independent	3	36,580	0.96%	0		0.0%
Total		35	3,781,568	100%	11		100%

Statewide popular vote Democratic   49.17% Republican   48.74% Write-in   1.13% Independent   0.96%

House seats Republican   63.64% Democratic   36.36%

2016 Virginia redistricting

This image shows the 2016-2020 court-ordered VA Congressional districts.

In October 2013 three voters in the third congressional district filed a lawsuit against Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell's 2012 congressional map. The three voters argued the new map was unconstitutional on the grounds that it packed black voters in the third district. On October 7, 2014, a three-justice District Court ruled the map unconstitutional and against the 14th amendment. However, they ruled the maps to continue use in the 2014 House Elections and for the General Assembly to redraw the maps by April 1, 2015. Following this decision 10 current and former Republican House members appealed to the Supreme Court to overturn the lower court's decision. However, the Supreme Court had just ruled in a major racial gerrymandering case in Alabama Legislative Black Caucus v Alabama, so it argued for the case to be re-visited by the District Court with the new ruling in mind. Then on June 5, 2015, the District Court again ruled the map unconstitutional and that the General Assembly must redraw the map by September 1, 2015. Again all Republican House members chose to appeal to the Supreme Court.

However, during the appeal process, the deadline of September 1 passed without the General Assembly approving a map, so the district court appointed a special master to redraw the map. Following this on January 7, 2016, the special master's map got approved by the District Court. The Republican House members then asked the Supreme Court to pause the implantation of the District Court's map to finish the original appeal about jurisdiction. The Supreme Court then unanimously denied this request allowing the new map to be used in the 2016 House primaries and election, then on March 21, 2016, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments on the appeal. The Supreme Court would then rule that the appeal had no standing and dismissed the Republican House members' appeal citing Article III of the Constitution.

The Republican House members then sued the District Court's map for striking down the original map. Only three of the 10 Republican members chose to appear in front of the Supreme Court. Randy Forbes, one of the three in front of the court, made the argument that the new map would force him off the 4th District as it would go from Republican-leaning to Democratic-leaning. This was the main talking point of the three Republican House members as during the court case they continued to argue that the new map would threaten the incumbent's re-elections. However, the Supreme Court would argue in favor of the District Court, ruling that the new map would stand. ^[1]

District 1

2016 Virginia's 1st congressional district election

←  2014 2018  →

Nominee Rob Wittman Matt Rowe Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 230,213 140,785 Percentage 59.9% 36.6%

County and independent city results Wittman:     40–50%     50–60%     60–70%     70–80% Rowe:     50–60%

U.S. Representative before election Rob Wittman Republican Elected U.S. Representative Rob Wittman Republican

See also: Virginia's 1st congressional district

Republican Rob Wittman had represented Virginia's 1st congressional district since 2007. He was re-elected in 2014 with 63% of the vote.

Wittman announced that he intended to run for governor in 2017, but would still run for re-election in 2016. ^[2]

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Rob Wittman, incumbent U.S. Representative

Democratic convention

A convention was scheduled for May 21 to select a nominee, with a filing deadline of May 7. ^[3] Bowling Green Town Councilman Matt Rowe was the only candidate to file before the deadline, and was thus automatically nominated. ^[4]

Candidates

Nominee

• Matt Rowe, Bowling Green Town Councilman

Independent candidate Gail Parker also ran. ^[5]

General election

Results

Virginia's 1st congressional district, 2016 ^[6]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Rob Wittman (incumbent)	230,213	59.9
	Democratic	Matt Rowe	140,785	36.6
	Independent	Glenda Parker	12,866	3.3
	Write-in		737	0.2
Total votes			384,601	100.0
	Republican hold

District 2

2016 Virginia's 2nd congressional district election

←  2014 2018  →

Nominee Scott Taylor Shaun D. Brown Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 190,475 119,440 Percentage 61.3% 38.5%

County and independent city results Precinct results Taylor:     50–60%     60–70%     70–80%     80–90%     >90% Brown:     50–60%     60–70%     70–80%     80–90%     >90%

U.S. Representative before election Scott Rigell Republican Elected U.S. Representative Scott Taylor Republican

See also: Virginia's 2nd congressional district

Republican Scott Rigell was the incumbent of the 2nd district, which had a PVI of R+2. He was first elected in 2010. He declined to seek re-election. ^[7] The district encompassed Virginia Beach and surrounding areas.

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Scott Taylor, state delegate, candidate for this seat in 2010 and candidate for Mayor of Virginia Beach in 2008 ^[8]

Eliminated in primary

• Pat Cardwell, attorney ^[9]
• Randy Forbes, incumbent U.S. Representative for Virginia's 4th congressional district ^[10]

Declined

• Glenn Davis, state delegate ^{[11] [12]}
• Bill DeSteph, state senator ^{[11] [13]}
• Ben Loyola, defense contractor, candidate for the seat in 2010 and nominee for state senate in 2011 ^[11]
• Jeff McWaters, former state senator and founder and former CEO of Amerigroup ^{[11] [14]}
• Jason Miyares, state delegate ^[15]
• Bert Mizusawa, Army Reserve major general and candidate for the seat in 2010 ^[11]
• Chris Stolle, state delegate ^{[11] [16]}
• Frank Wagner, state senator ^[11]

Endorsements

Randy Forbes

Executive branch officials

• Seven former Secretaries of the Navy, including former US Senator John Warner ^[10]

U.S. Representatives

• Scott Rigell, incumbent U.S. Representative, ^[10] 2nd District
• Rob Wittman, incumbent U.S. Representative, 1st District

State legislators

• John Cosgrove, state senator
• Glenn Davis, state delegate
• Gordon Helsel, state delegate
• Barry Knight, state delegate
• Jason Miyares, state delegate
• Brenda Pogge, state delegate
• Ron Villanueva, state delegate

Organizations

• Tidewater Tea Party Alliance

Local officials

• John Atkinson, Virginia Beach City Treasurer
• Heather Cordasco, former James City County School Board
• Linda Curtis, Hampton Vice Mayor
• Bob Deeds, James City-Williamsburg Sheriff
• Danny Diggs, York-Poquoson Sheriff
• Bobby Dyer, Virginia Beach City Council
• Jim Funk, former York County Board of Supervisors
• Buddy Green, Poquoson City Council
• George Hrishak, former York County Board of Supervisors
• Gene Hunt, Poquoson Mayor
• Bob McCabe, Norfolk Sheriff
• John Moss, Virginia Beach City Council
• Kevin Onizuk, James City County Board of Supervisors
• Doug Pons, Williamsburg City Council
• Sue Sadler, James City County Board of Supervisors
• Phyllis Schaffly, Hampton School Board
• Tom Sheppard, York County Board of Supervisors
• Jeff Wassmer, York County Chairman
• Don Wiggins, former York County Board of Supervisors
• Walt Zaremba, York County Board of Supervisors
• Benny Zhang, Williamsburg City Council

Individuals

• Matt Schlapp, Chairman of the American Conservative Union

Scott Taylor

State legislators

• Bill DeSteph, state senator ^[13]

Local officials

• Ken Stolle, Virginia Beach Sheriff

Results

County and independent city results

  Taylor

•   50–60%

  Forbes

•   50–60%
•   60–70%

Republican primary results ^[17]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Scott Taylor	21,406	52.6
	Republican	Randy Forbes (incumbent)	16,552	40.6
	Republican	Pat Cardwell	2,773	6.8
Total votes			40,731	100.0

Democratic primary

Scott Rigell's retirement was expected to make the race competitive, with the Rothenberg & Gonzales Political Report immediately changing the rating from Safe to Lean Republican. ^[18] However, due to the perceived strength of Congressman Forbes's entry into the race, Shaun Brown, a community activist in Hampton, VA who had originally planned to primary US Representative Bobby Scott (D) for the 3rd district, ^[19] ended up being the only candidate to file for the primary, making her automatically the nominee. ^[20]

Candidates

Nominee

• Shaun Brown, community activist ^[20]

Declined

• Dave Belote, chair of the Virginia Beach Democratic Committee, retired Air Force colonel, former Nellis Air Force Base installation commander and 2015 state senate candidate ^[21]
• Paul Hirschbiel, nominee in 2012 ^[11]
• Lynwood Lewis, state senator ^[22]
• Andria McClellan, businesswoman, state senate candidate in 2013 and Norfolk City councilwoman ^[11]
• Jody Wagner, former state treasurer, former State Secretary of Finance, nominee in 2000 and nominee for lieutenant governor in 2009 ^[11]

General election

Endorsements

Scott Taylor (R)

State legislators

• Bill DeSteph, state senator ^[13]

Local officials

• Ken Stolle, Virginia Beach Sheriff

Results

Virginia's 2nd congressional district, 2016 ^[6]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Scott Taylor	190,475	61.3
	Democratic	Shaun D. Brown	119,440	38.5
	Write-in		652	0.2
Total votes			310,567	100.0
	Republican hold

District 3

2016 Virginia's 3rd congressional district election

←  2014 2018  →

Nominee Bobby Scott Marty Williams Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 208,337 103,289 Percentage 66.7% 33.1%

County and independent city results Scott:     50–60%     60–70%     70–80% Williams:     50–60%

U.S. Representative before election Bobby Scott Democratic Elected U.S. Representative Bobby Scott Democratic

See also: Virginia's 3rd congressional district

Democrat Bobby Scott had represented Virginia's 3rd congressional district since 1993. He was re-elected in 2014 with 94% of the vote, but the district was made slightly more competitive following the court-ordered redistricting when all of its Richmond and Petersburg constituents were moved into the 4th district.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Bobby Scott, incumbent U.S. Representative

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Marty Williams, former president of the Virginia State Faternal Order of Police and chairman of the Chesapeake Planning Commission ^[23]

General election

A debate was scheduled for October 25, but was canceled after the debate questions were leaked to both campaigns. ^[24]

Endorsements

Bobby Scott (D)

Organizations

• Sierra Club ^[25]

Results

Virginia's 3rd congressional district, 2016 ^[6]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Bobby Scott (incumbent)	208,337	66.7
	Republican	Marty Williams	103,289	33.1
	Write-in		714	0.2
Total votes			312,340	100.0
	Democratic hold

District 4

2016 Virginia's 4th congressional district election

←  2014 2018  →

Nominee Donald McEachin Mike Wade Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 200,136 145,731 Percentage 57.7% 42.0%

County results McEachin:     50–60%     60–70%     70–80% Wade:     50–60%     60–70%     70–80%

U.S. Representative before election Randy Forbes Republican Elected U.S. Representative Donald McEachin Democratic

See also: Virginia's 4th congressional district

Republican Randy Forbes, first elected in 2001, was the incumbent of the 4th district, but attempted to seek re-election in the 2nd district. The 4th district was changed from a Hampton Roads centered district to a Richmond-centered district following the court's redistricting. Notably, it gained heavily Democratic, black-majority Richmond and Petersburg, which was enough to turn the district into a strongly Democratic district on paper. The old 4th had a PVI of R+4, while the new 4th had a PVI of D+10. The district was considered a Safe Gain for the Democrats by many political analysts, including Larry Sabato's Crystal Ball.

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Mike Wade, Henrico County Sheriff ^[26]

Eliminated in primary

• Jackee Gonzalez ^[20]

Declined

• Randy Forbes, incumbent U.S. Representative (running for VA-02) ^[10]
• Suzy Kelly, Chesapeake City Councilwoman ^[27]

Results

Republican primary results ^[17]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Mike Wade	4,987	64.0
	Republican	Jackee Gonzalez	2,801	36.0
Total votes			7,788	100.0

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Donald McEachin, state senator and nominee for attorney general in 2001 ^[28]

Eliminated in primary

• Ella Ward, Chesapeake city councilwoman and nominee in 2012 ^[29]

Declined

• Lamont Bagby, state delegate ^[30]
• Elliott Fausz, nominee in 2014 ^[31]
• Jennifer McClellan, state delegate ^[30]
• Levar Stoney, Secretary of the Commonwealth of Virginia ^{[31] [32]}

Results

Democratic primary results ^[33]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Donald McEachin	11,851	75.4
	Democratic	Ella Ward	3,867	24.6
Total votes			15,818	100.0

General election

Endorsements

Donald McEachin (D)

Organizations

• Sierra Club ^[25]

Predictions

Source	Ranking	As of
The Cook Political Report [34]	Likely D (flip)	November 7, 2016
Daily Kos Elections [35]	Safe D (flip)	November 7, 2016
Rothenberg [36]	Safe D (flip)	November 3, 2016
Sabato's Crystal Ball [37]	Safe D (flip)	November 7, 2016
RCP [38]	Likely D (flip)	October 31, 2016

Results

Virginia's 4th congressional district, 2016 ^[6]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Donald McEachin	200,136	57.7
	Republican	Mike Wade	145,731	42.1
	Write-in		789	0.2
Total votes			346,656	100.0
	Democratic gain from Republican

District 5

2016 Virginia's 5th congressional district election

←  2014 2018  →

Candidate Tom Garrett Jane Dittmar Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 207,758 148,339 Percentage 58.2% 41.6%

County and independent city results Precinct results Garrett:     50–60%     60–70%     70–80%     80–90% Dittmar:     50–60%     60–70%     70–80%     80–90%     >90%

U.S. Representative before election Robert Hurt Republican Elected U.S. Representative Tom Garrett Republican

See also: Virginia's 5th congressional district

Incumbent Republican Robert Hurt, first elected in 2010, retired in 2016. ^[39] The 5th district, which has a PVI of R+5, is the largest district in the state and stretches from Virginia's southern border to the exurbs of Washington, D.C.

Republican convention

The Republican party selected State Senator Tom Garrett as its nominee at a convention on May 14, with a filing deadline of March 31. ^{[40] [41]}

Candidates

Nominee

• Tom Garrett, state senator ^[42]

Eliminated in primary

• Michael Del Rosso, technology executive ^[43]
• Jim McKelvey, real estate developer, candidate in 2010 and state delegate candidate in 2013 ^[44]
• Joe Whited, congressional intelligence advisor ^[45]

Withdrawn

• Andrew Griffin, former congressional staffer ^{[46] [47]}

Democratic convention

The Democratic party had scheduled a convention on May 7 to select a nominee. ^[48] Jane Dittmar, the former chair of the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors, was the only candidate to file by the filing deadline and so was declared the Democratic nominee. ^[41]

Candidates

Nominee

• Jane Dittmar, former chair of the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors (2014–15) and Supervisor for Scottsville Magisterial District (2013–15) ^[49]

Withdrawn

• Ericke Cage, former congressional aide ^{[48] [50]}

Declined

• Ward Armstrong, former House Minority Leader ^[51]
• Todd Haymore, Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry and former congressional aide ^[52]

General election

Endorsements

Jane Dittmar (D)

Organizations

• EMILY's List ^[53]
• Sierra Club ^[25]

Predictions

Source	Ranking	As of
The Cook Political Report [34]	Likely R	November 7, 2016
Daily Kos Elections [35]	Likely R	November 7, 2016
Rothenberg [36]	Likely R	November 3, 2016
Sabato's Crystal Ball [37]	Lean R	November 7, 2016
RCP [38]	Likely R	October 31, 2016

Results

Virginia's 5th congressional district, 2016 ^[6]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Tom Garrett	207,758	58.2
	Democratic	Jane Dittmar	148,339	41.6
	Write-in		659	0.2
Total votes			356,756	100.0
	Republican hold

District 6

2016 Virginia's 6th congressional district election

←  2014 2018  →

Nominee Bob Goodlatte Kai Degner Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 225,471 112,170 Percentage 66.6% 33.2%

County and independent city results Goodlatte:     50–60%     60–70%     70–80%     80–90% Degner:     50–60%

U.S. Representative before election Bob Goodlatte Republican Elected U.S. Representative Bob Goodlatte Republican

See also: Virginia's 6th congressional district

Republican Bob Goodlatte had represented Virginia's 6th congressional district since 1993. He was re-elected with 75% of the vote in 2014.

Republican primary

Harry Griego, a pilot and Air Force veteran who made a 2015 primary challenge of State Delegate Chris Head, challenged Goodlatte for the Republican nomination. ^[54]

Candidates

Nominee

• Bob Goodlatte, incumbent U.S. Representative

Eliminated in primary

• Harry Griego, pilot and Air Force veteran

Primary results

Republican primary results ^[17]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Bob Goodlatte (incumbent)	18,993	77.9
	Republican	Harry Griego	5,383	22.1
Total votes			24,376	100.0

Democratic primary

In 2014, Democratic candidate Bruce Elder, a Staunton City Councilman, had to end his campaign after being diagnosed with cancer. ^[55] Democrats did not field any candidates to challenge Goodlatte for that year's election. ^[56]

No Democratic candidates announced in the early part of 2016, but Chris Hurst, a reporter for WDBJ in Roanoke who was the boyfriend of murdered reporter Alison Parker, had reportedly met with the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee to discuss a potential campaign for this district. ^[57] By late May, the only declared Democratic candidate was Warren County Democratic Party Chair Tom Howarth. However, citing health issues, Howarth withdrew. Kai Degner, a member of the Harrisonburg City Council and former mayor of the city, became the nominee by acclamation in early June.

Candidates

Nominee

• Kai Degner, former mayor of Harrisonburg

Withdrawn

• Tom Howarth, Warren County Democratic Party Chair

Declined

• Chris Hurst, reporter for WDBJ

General election

Results

Virginia's 6th congressional district, 2016 ^[6]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Bob Goodlatte (incumbent)	225,471	66.6
	Democratic	Kai Degner	112,170	33.2
	Write-in		768	0.2
Total votes			338,409	100.0
	Republican hold

District 7

2016 Virginia's 7th congressional district election

←  2014 2018  →

Nominee Dave Brat Eileen Bedell Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 218,057 160,159 Percentage 57.5% 42.2%

County results Brat:     50–60%     60–70%     70–80%

U.S. Representative before election Dave Brat Republican Elected U.S. Representative Dave Brat Republican

See also: Virginia's 7th congressional district

Republican Dave Brat had represented Virginia's 7th congressional district since 2014. He was elected in 2014 with 61% of the vote.

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Dave Brat, incumbent U.S. Representative

Withdrawn

• Mike Wade, Henrico County Sheriff ^[58]

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Eileen Bedell, small business owner and attorney ^[59]

General election

Endorsements

Eileen Bedell (D)

Organizations

• Sierra Club ^[25]

Results

Virginia's 7th congressional district, 2016 ^[6]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	David Brat (incumbent)	218,057	57.5
	Democratic	Eileen Bedell	160,159	42.2
	Write-in		947	0.3
Total votes			379,163	100.0
	Republican hold

District 8

2016 Virginia's 8th congressional district election

←  2014 2018  →

Nominee Don Beyer Charles Hernick Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 246,653 98,387 Percentage 68.4% 27.3%

County and independent city results Beyer:     60–70%     70–80%

U.S. Representative before election Don Beyer Democratic Elected U.S. Representative Don Beyer Democratic

See also: Virginia's 8th congressional district

Democrat Don Beyer had represented Virginia's 8th congressional district since 2015. He was elected in 2014 with 63% of the vote.

Republican convention

The Republican party selected a nominee at a convention on May 7. ^[60]

Two candidates sought the Republican nomination: Charles Hernick, an environmental consultant, and Mike Webb, a retired Army officer. ^{[61] [62]} Hernick defeated Webb to become the nominee. ^{[63] [64]}

Candidates

Nominee

• Charles Hernick, environmental consultant

Eliminated at the convention

• Mike Webb, retired Army officer

Other candidates

Independent candidate Julio Gracia also ran. ^[5]

General election

Endorsements

Don Beyer (D)

Organizations

• Sierra Club ^[25]

Results

Virginia's 8th congressional district, 2016 ^[6]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Don Beyer (incumbent)	246,653	68.4
	Republican	Charles Hernick	98,387	27.3
	Independent	Julio Gracia	14,664	4.0
	Write-in		972	0.3
Total votes			360,676	100.0
	Democratic hold

District 9

2016 Virginia's 9th congressional district election

←  2014 2018  →

Nominee Morgan Griffith Derek Kitts Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 212,838 87,877 Percentage 68.6% 28.3%

County and independent city results Griffith:     50–60%     60–70%     70–80% Kitts:     50–60%

U.S. Representative before election Morgan Griffith Republican Elected U.S. Representative Morgan Griffith Republican

See also: Virginia's 9th congressional district

Republican Morgan Griffith represented Virginia's 9th congressional district since 2011. He won re-election to a third term in 2014 with 72% of the vote.

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Morgan Griffith, incumbent U.S. Representative

Democratic convention

The Democratic party selected retired Army veteran Derek Kitts as the nominee in a May 21 convention.

Candidates

Nominee

• Derek Kitts, retired Army veteran ^[65]

Eliminated at the convention

• Bill Bunch, farmer and retired postal worker

Declined

• David Bowers, Mayor of Roanoke ^[66]

Other candidates

Independent candidate Janice Boyd also ran. ^[5]

General election

Results

Virginia's 9th congressional district, 2016 ^[6]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Morgan Griffith (incumbent)	212,838	68.6
	Democratic	Derek Kitts	87,877	28.3
	Independent	Janice Boyd	9,050	2.9
	Write-in		549	0.2
Total votes			310,314	100.0
	Republican hold

District 10

2016 Virginia's 10th congressional district election

←  2014 2018  →

Candidate Barbara Comstock LuAnn Bennett Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 210,791 187,712 Percentage 52.7% 46.9%

County and independent city results Comstock:     50–60%     60–70%     70–80% Bennett:     40–50%     50–60%

U.S. Representative before election Barbara Comstock Republican Elected U.S. Representative Barbara Comstock Republican

See also: Virginia's 10th congressional district

Republican Barbara Comstock was the incumbent in the 10th district. In 2015, she succeeded Republican Frank Wolf, who served for 17 terms before choosing to not seek re-election 2014. The 10th district, which has a PVI of D+1, consists of the northernmost portions of the state. Comstock ran for re-election. ^[67]

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Barbara Comstock, incumbent U.S. Representative

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

• LuAnn Bennett, real estate executive and ex-wife of former 8th District Congressman Jim Moran ^[68]

Other candidates

Libertarian candidate JD Thorpe ran as a write-in candidate.

General election

Campaign

Due to the competitiveness of the district and the ability of both candidates to raise large amounts of money, the race was expected to be one of the most heavily contested in the country. ^[69] Democratic strategist Ellen Qualls said the 10th District is "essentially the swingiest district in the swingiest state." ^[69]

In the first three weeks of her campaign, Bennett raised $281,000, while Comstock raised $2 million overall since January 2015. ^{[69] [70]}

Endorsements

LuAnn Bennett (D)

Organizations

• EMILY's List ^[53]
• Sierra Club ^[25]

Predictions

Source	Ranking	As of
The Cook Political Report [34]	Tossup	November 7, 2016
Daily Kos Elections [35]	Tossup	November 7, 2016
Rothenberg [36]	Tilt R	November 3, 2016
Sabato's Crystal Ball [37]	Lean R	November 7, 2016
RCP [38]	Tossup	October 31, 2016

Results

Virginia's 10th congressional district, 2016 ^[6]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Barbara Comstock (incumbent)	210,791	52.7
	Democratic	LuAnn Bennett	187,712	46.9
	Write-in		1,580	0.4
Total votes			400,083	100.0
	Republican hold

Comstock was re-elected even though her district voted for Clinton by 10 percentage points in the presidential race. ^[71]

District 11

2016 Virginia's 11th congressional district election

←  2014 2018  →

Nominee Gerry Connolly Party Democratic Popular vote 247,818 Percentage 87.9%

County and independent city results Connolly:     80–90%     >90%

U.S. Representative before election Gerry Connolly Democratic Elected U.S. Representative Gerry Connolly Democratic

See also: Virginia's 11th congressional district

Democrat Gerry Connolly had represented Virginia's 11th congressional district since 2009. He was re-elected in 2014 with 57% of the vote. He was the only candidate on the ballot for the seat in 2016. ^[72]

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Gerry Connolly, incumbent U.S. Representative

Republican convention

One person, John Wolfe, filed for the Republican nomination, which was to be decided at a convention on May 14, 2016. However, Wolfe did not campaign or even attend the convention, so the convention delegates rejected his nomination by a 3-to-1 margin. ^{[73] [74]} The 11th District Republican Committee searched for a new candidate, ^[73] but ultimately decided no viable candidate was available and opted to focus on the presidential race and on defeating the Fairfax County meals tax referendum. ^[75]

Libertarian nomination

One person, Daniel Mittereder, filed for the Libertarian nomination and was accepted. However, he suffered a severe strep throat infection shortly afterward which required a tonsillectomy and was forced to withdraw his candidacy. ^[76]

General election

Endorsements

Gerry Connolly (D)

Organizations

• Sierra Club ^[25]

Results

Virginia's 11th congressional district, 2016 ^[6]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Gerry Connolly (incumbent)	247,818	87.9
	Write-in		34,185	12.1
Total votes			282,003	100.0
	Democratic hold

References

1. "Wittman v. Personhuballah, 578 U.S. ____ (2016)". justice.gov. Retrieved August 9, 2023.
2. Portnoy, Jenna (December 12, 2015). "GOP congressman Rob Wittman prepares to jump into Va. governor's race". The Washington Post . Retrieved December 15, 2015.
3. "Call to Convention 2016" (PDF). Virginia's First Congressional District Committee. Retrieved March 31, 2016.
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External links

• U.S. House elections in Virginia, 2016 at Ballotpedia
• Campaign contributions at OpenSecrets